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Hi everyone,
As my hair gets closer to hanging down my back, I wanted to ask you all a question. I am wondering what you guys do with your hair when washing it at longer lengths. I am planning to grow to waist length if the hair Gods allow it.
I don't really want soap to get in my hair. So I am wanting to know what your methods of doing this are. I appreciate any and all suggestions! Please keep your manes growing and flowing! Great weekend to all members here! Thanks for your inspiration!
Ted
Hey Ted!
I would only assume that people with extremely long hair would probably bend over and wash only their scalp with shampoo, while washing only the length with conditioner, with the head hanging down forward?
Hmm.. I am sure some of the members here with extremely long hair will be able to help you with that one!
I am just glad you are thinking of those lengths, and enjoying the journey, buddy! :)
That's what I do, but I wouldn't say it was extremely long, just waist length. Trolleypup is an excellent example of extremely long hair, LOL!
I have to wash mine every three to four days, whereas he can go a whole week, so he tells us. Could be mine is greasier, but it also may be because his is longer. The amount of grease (sebum) varies from person to person, but it doesn't vary with length, so longer hair generally has to be washed less often to get similar results.
Hi Alun,
My goal right now is waist length. I can also get away with frequent washing it seems. Of course my hair is hardly long right now. Will have to see what happens when it gets longer.
Ted
Hi Raul,
Thanks for the reply my friend! Yes, I am thinking of those lengths! However, I am really thinking of those awesome dreads you're going to have! You will look just wonderful with dreads buddy! The journey is most of the fun my friend!
Ted
Those will be fun to wash, Ted... since I have aboslutely ZERO experience with that, and I will need to find the correct type of method and organic/dreadlock shampoo to use, which will not only make my knots not loosen up, but keep my scalp nice and happy as well.. this will be fun ;)
Hi Raul,
That is the main thing! We must have fun with our hair! Whether we have it short and spiky or waist length or dreaded! It's all good my friend! Can you just imagine how boring this world would be without diversity!
Ted
Hi Ted,
I know quite a few use the CWC method (conditioner/shampoo/conditioner) and because the length is coated with conditioner before shampoo is applied to the scalp, it is protected from any shampoo run off down the rest of your hair.
I used to do that every wash. Lately I've found that just shampooing the scalp doesn't negatively affect my length even with a bit of run-off. I always condition the length every wash and often follow it up with an Ojon oil treatment as well so lots goes into protecting it despite a possible bit of shampoo exposure.
Jason
Hi Jason,
Thanks for the informative reply! I probably won't do the CWC method. Seems like a lot of work for me! I may change my mind about this at mid-back length though:) I definitely always use conditioner. I will try what you do as it makes sense to me. I just can't get over the way the oils feel in my hair. Every time I use oil I just want to wash it out. Any suggestions how to overcome this? I appreciate them!
Ted
I have read comments before of different guys talking about not shampooing their hair and doing treatments, etc. I am still so new to this process, I haven't paid much attention to it, other than to think about it. I have a really oily complexion and my hair gets looking pretty bad if I don't wash it every day. I've learned real quick, though, that I cannot wash it in the same methods like I did when it was short... so, now I simply put the shampoo on my head and run my hands over my hair - that way it does not get tangles or snags. I condition it once a week. Any thoughts or advice for this novice on hair and scalp care?
Hi Fitz,
Thanks for the reply! First of all, I would like to direct you to the responses to this post. I plan to incorporate these into my routine to see how they work for me.
Now for what I do. I wash with shampoo and conditioner about every 2 days. Before I get in the shower I comb my hair with a wide tooth comb. I wash my hair with just a small(read nickel size) amount of shampoo. I just lather a little and rinse under lukewarm water. Then I use about a half dollar size or better amount of conditioner. I comb the conditioner completely through and then rinse with lukewarm water. Right before I get out I run very cold water over my hair and comb it through. This does very well for any tangling. My hair does not tangle under cold water. Hope this helps my friend!
Ted
Thanks, Ted.
I appreciate that good word.
i tie mine back in a pony tail to avoid tangles when washing, and i let it air dry.
Hi Mike,
Thanks much for the reply! I will probably try this when I can finally make a decent ponytail:) Darn hair is taking it's time about growing! Yes, I definitely always let my hair air dry.
Ted
Someone called? :rolleyes: ;)
Unless you have no problems with post washing tangles, I don't recommend flipping your hair forward to wash...for me, it is prescription for terrible tangles.
At any longer length, you may want to wash your hair on a different schedule from your body...put your hair up and wash without getting your hair wet.
I've done WO (water only)...it worked, but I needed to wash every 4 days to have consistently good hair (and the adjustment period is a pain)...and going back to a shampoo/conditioner routine lets me be lazy and only wash every week or so.
Current routine: full detangle and comb out (saves ever so much trouble later!), all water used on hair is tepid, wet hair, squirt heavily diluted shampoo on canopy, agitate gently and briefly, rinse out allowing rinse to go down length, use a strong spray/water jet to clean scalp and rinse any product off scalp, condition length, rinse, squirt dilute vinegar on scalp, rinse. Squeeze loose water from hair, wrap/turban hair in microfiber towel, after the towel has sucked most of the water out of my hair, air dry damp hair, detangle and comb out.
Note: if I have recently washed, but go out and get real sweaty, a water rinse works well, and extends the time til the next wash, especially if I get to the shower when still overheated.
Note2: if I am out in dirty/dusty conditions, my hair is always up and covered...very rare for the length to need more than a rinse or the runoff from shampoo to get it clean.
Guaranteed that Your Mileage WILL Vary! Depending on your hair AND your scalp you will have to experiment to find what works best for you. A lot of my routine is to keep my scalp from getting angry...my hair a pretty tough and doesn't get much up by different routines.
Hi Trolleypup,
I thank you kindly for the very detailed reply! I think I am going to stop flipping the hair forward to wash. Even at my current length it does tangle.
Excellent suggestion for the different washing schedules! Didn't even think of that! Doh!
I am not a big fan of water only washing. I find it just makes my hair flat and ugly. Also, it seems greasy to me. My hair and scalp seem to be okay with more frequent washing.
I am going to try your routine even though my hair is much shorter than yours:) I am wondering what the dilute vinegar does to the hair. Also need to get a microfiber towel. Right now I just pat my hair lightly to get some of the water out. I do like leaving it pretty wet though. Do you comb your hair before it is totally dry?
Right now I don't work so don't get really sweaty. Hopefully one of these days I will get back to work and your tips shall be handy!
Yes, it is fun experimenting to see what works best. That's part of the fun of growing long hair! I thank you again for such a detailed helpful reply my friend!
Ted
The thing with WO is it really requires the commitment to do it properly. Which is why I slipped away from it...also, it is no less work than using products.
The vinegar is for my scalp, doesn't make much difference to my hair. The microfiber towel is very good at sucking a lot of water out of my hair...15 minutes, and I can go out with my hair down without dripping. I don't comb or manipulate it until it is dry.
Hi Trolleypup,
Thanks a bunch for the reply! I probably will stay away from WO as my hair gets greasy and flat.
I may try the vinegar. Might have some benefit to me. I will get a microfiber towel for sure. I like the feel of those. Why don't you comb it before it's dry? Are you trying to preserve the wave pattern? I always comb mine before it's dry to prevent tangles. It still does though.
Ted
Mine tangles worse when wet, when dry I can finger detangle then comb out.
I am wondering what you guys do with your hair when washing it at longer lengths. I am planning to grow to waist length if the hair Gods allow it. : I don't really want soap to get in my hair. So I am wanting to know what your methods of doing this are. I appreciate any and all suggestions! : Ted
Teddy = eye fink eye wub ewe !!! - no seriously, you have the sweetest soul: ( the world needs more of you ) - don't be scared of shampoo = I use it - but be not worried re: it bubbling-up = it is not necessary to bubble to clean thoroughly - just smooth the shampoo through the scalp massaging with your finger-tips - rinse thoroughly & then condition to buggery: ( scuze da language ... hehehe ) - good luck my friend = where can I clone you !??! CHEERS CEM :))
Ah CEM! Thanks for the very kind words my friend! You ain't too bad yourself! I do try my best to make you proud:) I just don't use much shampoo at all. I try not to rub my hair much when washing. Haha! I will be happy to clone myself wherever you need me! I do really appreciate your extremely kind words my friend! Great rest of the weekend to you!
Ted
I probably break a few of the "rules" of long hair care, but here goes:
1. Brush the hair before washing
2. Shampoo lightly and rinse off
3. Condition heavily - I use a handful of conditioner and leave it in for a few minutes before rinsing out
4. Wrap in a towel to take off most of the water
5. Apply a few drops of jojoba oil to the hair - rub a few drops between your palms and wipe over the hair
6. Brush with a soft-bristled brush, removing any tangles by hand
7. Leave to air dry.
I'm lucky in that my hair is only slightly wavy, so I can get away with brushing it while wet. I've tried using various different combs, but ended up with major tangles, but I've had no problem at all using a brush.
I also leave my hair hanging down my back while washing. I've tried flipping it forward, but I end up with tangles if I do. I also finger comb while rinsing out the conditioner which may be why I don't have trouble brushing afterwards.
Hi Viking,
I much appreciate your reply! I know I break rules, but it's my hair. Your routine is very similar to mine with the exception of brushing. I don't let a brush get close to my hair. My hair does not get along with brushes and is way to thick to brush. If I brush I end up with a big fluffball for hair.
Oh and I don't use any oil either. It seems I don't like the feel of oil in my hair. Maybe when I get longer I will change my mind about that.
Thanks again for your routine and I hope you have a great rest of the weekend my friend!
Ted
First I shampoo my hair and rinse it out. Then I apply conditioner and put my hair into a bun secured with a claw clip. It stays there while I do the rest of my shower. I don't let it down and rinse it out until the very end.